Paul Trum, 86, expired on January 8, 2014 at his home near Lewellen, NE. He was born on April 1, 1927 in Sterling, CO to Ernest Leo and Angela Pauline (Eich) Trum.
He attended Franklin and St Anthony’s School until the 10th grade then worked at Ray Lewis’s service station until he was drafted into the Army in 1945. He received training at Shepard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas and completed mechanic school for P47 Thunderbolt aircraft at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi.
He was sent to Okinawa sometime after the August 1945 surrender of the Japanese. There he worked on both the Thunderbolt and B29’s as part of the 8th airforce which had been withdrawn from the European theatre and sent to the Pacific. The airplanes he worked on were used on reconnaissance of Southeast Asia. The voyage to Okinawa took place during an especially powerful typhoon. Nearly everyone aboard the troopship, including captain and crews, were deathly seasick for about ten days.
He returned home to Sterling in early 1947 and married Shirley Slice on April 7, 1947. They were married for sixty years and had six children.
After working several months and J and L service station, he went to work at Jackson Funeral Home on a GI work program. He remained there for four and a half years, switching to Iowa Electric Light and Power, gas division. His first job there was reading meters, later he operated the meter repair shop until his retirement at age 56.
In 1995 he and Shirley moved to Lake McConaughy where their home is still.
One of the main interests in Paul’s life was competitive shooting, both rifle and pistol. He started at an early age, following in his father’s footsteps. He won Colorado State Rifle Championship several times and competed four times in the Nationals at Camp Perry on the Colorado state team. He won many medals and trophies but was forced out of competitive shooting eventually because of poor eyesight.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ernest Jr., and daughter, Teresa. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughters: Dr. Paulette Trum of Minooka, IL, Kathleen Smith and husband, Donald of Loveland, CO, Erni Mari McCormick and husband, Lonny of Goddard, KS, sons: Raymond of Iliff, CO and James and wife, Kathleen of Sterling; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandsons; and wiener dog, Heidi.
He was cremated and a celebration on life is planned perhaps on his birthday April First.
In lieu of flowers we suggest your favorite charity. We thank the fine ladies of Hospice, all our friends and relatives who have contributed so much time, food, thoughts, kindnesses and prayers to Paul and family. Thank you again.
Holechek Funeral Home in Oshkosh is in charge of arrangements.